e an
answer. She was also feeling very lonely and downcast then, and it was
pleasant to find somebody she knew in the busy city that had apparently
no place for her.

"Now," said Alton presently, "we'll go in here. It's nice and quiet
for Vancouver, but I expect you know this place."

He realized that he had blundered when he saw the girl's face, but in
another second she was laughing a little. "No," she said. "I'm afraid
you are forgetting."

Alton apparently misunderstood her. "Well," he said, smiling, "it's
quite possible you know another place that's nicer; but sit right
yonder while I waken some of these people up."

Now the public breakfast is an institution in Western cities whose
inhabitants frequently take no meals at home, and the appearance of the
bronzed man and girl together excited no comment, while Alton was able
to contrive that they had a table in a corner to themselves. His
tastes were, as his companion knew, severely simple, and she wondered a
little, because that establishment was one of the most expensive in the
city. In the meanwhile, the man talked assiduously, if somewhat at
random, and was contented when he found that he could keep the girl's
attention occupied so that she scarcely noticed how often he refilled
her plate. At last, as he passed a great cluster of fruit across, he
said, "It's time you did the talking now. You are going right ahead in
this city?"

The girl's face quivered for a second, and her fingers moved nervously,
"I am afraid I have not commenced yet," she said.

"No?" said Alton. "Now Susie Thomson told me you were running a
typewriter for somebody."

A tinge of carmine flickered into the cheek of his companion and faded
swiftly again. "I was," she said. "The commercial school found a
place for me, but it was impossible that I should stay there."

Alton half closed his eyes, and the girl noticed his big hand slowly
clenched, for he fancied he understood. "It's a pity I wasn't a
brother of yours, Miss Nellie. I should like to see those folks," he
said. "Still, you have known me a long while, and that's something to
go upon."

"I'm afraid it's not sufficient," said the girl hastily, with a little
smile.

"Well," said Alton, with a sigh, "you have got hold of something
better."

Miss Townshead appeared to make an endeavour to answer hopefully, but
again her fingers trembled, and there was a little less courage than
usual in her eyes. "Not yet, but